2013 Design 4 Health Conference (July 2013, Sheffield UK)

This conference seeks to explore the relationship between design, and health and wellbeing. Good design can deliver widespread benefits to society but how can design practice and processes meet the challenges of health and wellbeing in the 21st Century? Through this conference we aim to develop environments and propose creative strategies for future living in which people of all ages and abilities ‘not merely survive’ but are enabled and empowered to live with dignity, independence and fulfilment.

The conference provides a platform for dialogue between designers, healthcare professionals, funding bodies, researchers and users. The conference features an exhibition of innovative health related artefacts and designs plus special sessions and workshops.

Those participating in the Call for Papers and Exhibition Proposals might include designers, practitioners and researchers in health and wellbeing, and representatives from the health and design industries and funding bodies.

Call for Papers
We invite submissions for presentations that address the conference themes below. Papers are invited in the form of a written abstract. This will be independently reviewed and, where appropriate, commented upon. Successful authors will be invited to present their work at the conference.

Abstract checklist:
• The language of the conference is English and all submissions should be in English.
• Submissions should be a maximum of 300 words.
• Up to 5 images may also be included.
• Your abstract should describe the context of the research, questions addressed, how the research has been developed including research methods, findings or conclusions, and be supported by references. References should use the Harvard system of referencing.
• Abstracts will be double blind reviewed; please do not include your name or affiliation.

All abstracts will be independently peer-reviewed by at least two members of the Design for Health 2013 review panel. Prizes will be awarded for the best paper presented at the conference. Abstracts should be submitted electronically by 8th February 2013 via the conference management system. Details of how to do this will be posted on our website at http://www.design4health.org.uk.

Call for Exhibition Proposals
A peer reviewed exhibition will be held as part of the conference. We invite individuals, organisations and industry to submit exhibits of innovative artefacts or systems that they believe make significant progress in design for health. We particularly invite new products that are considered to be exemplars in their field for good design.

All submissions will be independently peer-reviewed by members of the Design for Health 2013 review panel. Prizes will be awarded for the best exhibit at the conference.

Please submit a portfolio or sketches (in PDF format) and a 100 word abstract describing the design and the rationale behind its creation. The abstract should also contain details of what you intend to exhibit (e.g. poster, artefact etc.). Please also provide details of any specific requirements you will need for your exhibit e.g. equipment, technical support, security measures, estimated value (if over £3000) for insurance purposes. If you would like more information about the exhibition space, or an informal chat about submitting an artefact, please feel free to contact us before making your submission.

Your portfolio and abstract should be submitted electronically by 22nd February 2013 via the conference management system. Details of how to do this will be posted on our website at http://www.design4health.org.uk.

Conference Themes
The conference seeks to explore the role of evidence based design in healthcare, and issues surrounding interdisciplinary working. Papers are particularly invited to explore these key issues. Other topics for submission may include, although are not restricted to:

Methods / Approaches
This theme aims to develop understanding of methodologies, approaches and design processes in health and wellbeing, including user-centred design, patient co-creation and social sustainability.

Users and Markets
How can good design be applied to understanding and treating long term health conditions? What creative strategies can we adopt to meet the challenges of changing healthcare markets?
• Assisted living
• Behaviour change and motivation using ICT
• Designing the patient experience
• Healthcare and ageing
• Healthcare for Long term conditions (dementia, obesity, stroke, diabetes)

Products, Systems and Services
How can design be used to empower people of all ages and abilities to live with dignity, independence and fulfilment?
• Built environment in the health sector
• Home care
• Medical devices and technologies
• Patient pathways
• Visual communication design for health and social change/wellbeing
• Wearable technology

Contact
For an informal discussion about submitting a paper or exhibit, you can contact the Conference Director, Dr Alaster Yoxall a.yoxall@shu.ac.uk t: +44(0)114 225 6754.

Please join our conference mailing list at http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk /design4health to ensure that you receive up to date information about the submission and refereeing process and arrangements for the event itself.

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About Fil SalustriI'm a design methodologist and Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada. Adjectives that describe me include: secular humanist, meritocrat, and long-winded. Some people call me a positivist too, as if that were a bad thing. Go figure.
My real home page is http://deseng.ryerson.ca/~fil.